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I’ve been using Time Machine, a built-in backup programdeveloped by Apple since I bought my first Mac. I tried multiple external harddrives, and I believe I know a thing or two about the process and type ofhardware that works best with the Time Machine.
Best External Hard Drives For Mac
I can’t tell you how many times I was able to recover my Macs after experiments I run in order to write articles on my site.
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I intentionally infected my poor MacBook with malware, installed keyloggers, deleted parts of the operating system, and did other things that normal people usually avoid. I reported my findings on macmyths.com, and many readers were able to avoid the mistakes they would make otherwise.
During my experiments, I wasn’t afraid to cause any damage(excluding physical) to my Macs because, after each test, I restored the lastimage from my Time Machine drives. Battletech 1 8 0.
Unfortunately, not all backups I made were successful. In several cases, I had to use older backups from my secondary drives because my primary drives had failed.
Ssd External Hard Drive Mac
And after going through the school of hard knocks, I realized how important it is to pick a write hard drive for Time Machine.
Here I present my top recommended products, so you can learn from my mistakes.
Table of Contents
- How to choose hard drives for Time Machine
- My Recommendations for the Best External Hard Drive for Mac Time Machine Backup
How to choose hard drives for Time Machine
Brand name
There are certain qualities that I look for when considering hard drives for any backup. The main factor in selection is reliability. It doesn’t matter how fast the disk is, how sleek it looks, or how good the discount was on Amazon.
If the drive fails when you need it, then it’s not worth even a penny.
The thing is that all hard drives fail. There is not asingle model that is 100% fail free. The difference is the failure rate.Devices produced by well known established companies have lower rates compared todrives from unknown manufacturers.
If Amazon is your choice when it comes to purchasinganything online, be aware that not all user reviews are real. So many times,I’ve seen several thousands of 5-star reviews on noname devices, and at thesame time, good devices get a couple of hundreds of reviews, and the average is3.5.
How is it possible? I think we all know the answer.
So, what’s my point? If you get anything from this article,I want to remind you that brands matter when reliability is the most importantfactor in choosing a backup drive.
If you are not familiar with which manufacturers have beenon the market for decades, here is the list (not complete) of companies whichproduce quality hard drives:
- Seagate
- Western Digital (WD)
- Samsung
- Toshiba
- Buffalo
Capacity
The second most important factor is storage capacity. Ideally, you want as much storage as you can get. However, we need to be practical, because extra bytes come with extra price.
When the difference in price between 1TB and 2TB may not be too high, when we are moving up in size, doubling the storage comes with more than double price. We want to keep a balance between capacity and the price, if possible.
So, what’s the best size for the Time Machine backup drive? The minimum size for a Time Machine backup drive should be at least twice the size of the Mac primary storage. For instance, if MacBook’s disk size is 128GB, then 256GB will be minimum for a backup, and 1TB would be the best choice.
In other words, the best size for Time Machine backup drive 4x to 8x of the size of the primary disk, when 2x is a minimum.
When Time Machine runs for the first time, it takes the full backup of data on the disk. After that, it keeps deltas (only files that have changed).
Time Machine keeps local snapshots, hourly snapshots for the last 24 hours, daily, and weekly snapshots as storage permits. If the backup disk gets full, the Time Machine starts deleting the oldest snapshots.
This means if you don’t have enough space, your ability to go back will be limited.
Performance
One of the biggest complaints about Time Machine is the fact that it is slow. It is much slower than other (commercial) backup solutions because it runs on the background, so it doesn’t impact any programs you are using at the time the backup process runs.
If you want to know how to speed up the backup process, check my article here. Nox app player mac os mojave.
One of the ways to improve the time it takes to backup isgetting a faster drive. Pay attention to write and read performance. Writes areimportant when taking backups, and reads are significant when restoring.
Compatibility
When browsing various drives on Amazon or Best Buy, you can see that some of them marked as compatible with Macs. Contrary to what you might think, this does not mean that you cannot use drives described as PC drives.
This really means that the disk was preformatted for either PC or Mac, and you can use it right away with the corresponding computer.
However, almost all drives can be used with Macs as long asthey have proper connectors. You just need to know how to prepare the drive forMac, i.e., format it.
What disk format is best for Time Machine? Time Machine only recognizes the drives formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled), also known as HFS+. If the drive is formatted with different format types, the Time Machine will offer to erase the disk and reformat before use.
To know the current format of the external drive, use theDisk Utility app. One way to start it is by using Spotlight Search: holdCommand and hit Spacebar. In the search bar type “Disk Utility” andhit Enter.
In the Disk Utility app, select the drive on the left. Onthe right, under the name of the drive, there will be information about thecurrent format. To reformat the disk in a new format, click on the Erase iconat the top. Note that all information on the disk will be wiped out.
In the pop-up window type in the new name for the drive (orkeep the old one). And pick Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as Format choice.
Hit Erase.
Once the format is complete, the drive is ready to be usedas a Time Machine backup drive.
Connector
As mentioned above, all drives are compatible with Applecomputers as long as they have proper connectors.
So, check your Mac for extension ports. If you have a newerMac, then you need USB-C hard drive, older ones support USB (2.0, 3.0, or 3.1)or Thunderbolt. Pick the drive that supports the Mac ports.
Price
And last, but not the least – price. Yes, price isimportant, but I want to reiterate the importance of reliability over theprice. If you want to save on price, then go with a slower drive, but don’t gowith a cheap noname brand.
My Recommendations for the Best External Hard Drive for Mac Time Machine Backup
Best overall: Samsung T5 SSD
The device is so small that it can fit in your shirt pocket.It’s a little bigger than a matchbox and weighs just 51 grams.
As any SSD drive, T5 has no moving parts. It has a sturdy metal body, so it can handle drops of up to 2 meters.
It comes with two cables: USB and USB-C, which is superhelpful if you have old and new Macs. So you can use the USB cable with oldMacBook, copy data on it and then plug into a new MacBook with TouchBar andcopy again.
And T5 is crazy fast. I was able to run the Virtual Boximage directly from Samsung T5. I never thought it would be possible because Itried to run VMs from external drives before, and they were super slow, evenunusable.
With T5, however, I didn’t even know that I am running VM on the external hard drive. Partially, it was due to fast SSD inside and partially due to the USB-C connector.
According to the manufacturer, the transfer speed is up to 540MB/s. Don’t forget to buy a hard travel case when buying T5 to keep the cables together.
Samsung T5 is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
Speed, portability, USB, and USB-C support.
Dimensions: 57.3mm x 74mm x 10.5mm.
Cons
Size limited to 2TB, which means if you have a 1TB on your Mac, this won’t work for you.
Learn more about SAMSUNG T5 On Amazon
Samsung T7 Touch
Do you want even more speed? Then check out Samsung T7. It’s a new drive from Samsung that continues the legendary line of SSD hard drives T3-T5.
The read and write speed of T7 is almost double of corresponding values of T5: up to 1000 MB/s for both reads and writes.
Additionally, T7 comes with fingerprint security, which is very important for someone who’s doing Time Machine backups. T7 supports up to 4 fingerprints and works similar to MacBook Touch ID.
Learn more about SAMSUNG T7 Touch On Amazon
Runner up: WD My Passport
If you need a larger drive than T5, then check out Western Digital My Passport for Mac Portable External Hard Drive. Its upper limit is 5TB.
Let’s start with the following fact: My Passport supportsboth USB 3.0 and USB-C ports. It comes with two cables, and depending on whichport you have on your Mac, you can use one or the other.
The transfer speed of USB 3.0 is limited to 10.0 Gbit/s max.The max speed for USB-C is 40.0 Gbit/s, four times faster thansecond-generation 3.0.
Overall the read and write speed of My Passport is around110 MB/s.
The best thing about My Passport for Mac is that it alreadypreformatted for macOS. You can start using the drive as soon as you plug itin. No need to mess with disk utilities and other stuff. However, it also meansthat it is not compatible with Windows.
My Passport is a little bigger than T5 and has the followingdimensions:
- Depth 4.22 in/10.71cm
- Width 2.95 in/7.49cm
- Height 0.75 in/1.91cm
- Weight 0.51 lb/0.21kg
Pros
Reliability, durability, multiple size options up to 5TB
Cons
Slower than T5
External Solid State Drive Mac
Learn more about WD My Passport On Amazon
Budget pick: Toshiba Canvio Basics
If you need a reliable external hard drive under $100, thenconsider Toshiba Canvio Basics 4TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0.
This is not the fastest drive, but it’s reliable and cheap.You can buy a 4TB drive for less than $100, and in my opinion, it’s a greatdeal.
I use this device for my archives. If I have files that I amnot going to use for a while, then instead of deleting them, I shove them to myToshiba drive. You never know when you will need that old VM, and it’s nice tonot waste prime drive space either.
Note, however, this comes only with a USB cable, so if youhave a new laptop with USB-C ports, you will need to buy an adapter as well.
Pros
Super cheap and super reliable
Cons
Only supports USB 3
Learn more about Toshiba Canvio Basics On Amazon
Best Overall:WD My Passport Ultra for Mac
Runner-up:Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch 2TB External Hard Drive
Also Great:Samsung (MUPA1T0B/AM) T5 Portable SSD
Runner-up:Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch 2TB External Hard Drive
Also Great:Samsung (MUPA1T0B/AM) T5 Portable SSD
You can’t spend a day without your MacBook. Whether it is for business activities or playing games, the machine is your essential asset. If you are storing important files and you want to keep them safe, consider getting the best backup hard drive for Mac.
In this article, we are reviewing Mac backup hardware and how it can benefit users. Whether you have sensitive files to protect or valuable memories, an external backup drive will keep them safe. Check out our reviews to learn the pros, cons, and other details about top-rated items on the market.
Quick Summary
- WD My Passport Ultra for Mac is a backup hard drive for MacBook that excels in every category. From generous capacity to impressive transfer speeds, you will get everything you might expect from this device.
- If you are looking for bargain deals, try Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch 2TB External Hard Drive. It offers excellent value for the money, and you will get complimentary subscriptions for Adobe CC and Mylio Create.
- Samsung (MUPA1T0B/AM) T5 Portable SSD is a premium quality Mac backup hardware. The product has superfast speeds, and it will serve you for long. Additionally, the drive is tiny and light, which makes it extremely portable.
Who Should Get This?
Are you having second thoughts on whether you need the best external backup drive for Mac? If that is the case, check out the benefits brought by these products:
- Protection against failures – if your default drive fails for any reason, you will always have the backup version ready.
- Access files quickly – you might be away from your machine, but connecting the drive to another PC will secure quick access to files.
- Additional protection – if you store sensitive data on external drives, it keeps them safe from viruses, malware, and potential security breaches.
- System recovery options – if you need to install the OS again, a backup hard drive will help to restore everything the way it used to look.
It is worth noting that using the best backup hard drive for Mac is a piece of cake. You don’t need any technical knowledge since these products are easy to use.
How We Picked the Best Backup Hard Drive for Mac?
Picking the best backup hard drive for Mac requires considering its properties carefully. You want to ensure every detail meets your preferences. Our experts have years of experience, and they know where to look when it comes to backup hard drives. Here are the factors we considered in the process.
Capacity
The capacity of your backup external hard drive for Mac is essential. You want to fit important files, as well as precious photos, videos, and other data on it. That is why you will require as much room as possible. The general rule is that backup hard drives vary from 1TB to 5TB capacity. You will often find the same model in different variations.
Transfer Speed
Transfer speed describes how fast a hard drive can transfer files from and to other devices. These speeds can vary on other factors, but the maximum they can reach depends on the drive. The best backup hard drive for Mac should have at least 100MB/S capability, although these devices often go to 500MB/S or above.
Size
The product’s size is crucial for its portability. If you have a tiny hard drive, it will be easy to fit it into your pocket to carry it around. The good news is that most hard drives these days are of compact size. While it might be tricky to put them into a pocket, placing them into a bag should be a problem. While considering portability, make sure to take into account the weight of the hard drive, too. A lighter product is easier to move around.
Design
The appearance of your hard drive might not be a primary consideration. However, you want the colors to complement your machine. The design can vary from classic black and white colors to shades of orange and other vivid solutions.
Price
It would be foolish not to consider the cost of your backup external hard drive for Mac. You might be able to find a reliable device for under $100. However, if you want a high-quality product with an impressive capacity, be ready for an investment that goes up to or over $200.
Best Backup Hard Drive for Mac: Our Picks in 2020
1. WD My Passport Ultra for Mac
WD My Passport Ultra is a hard drive formatted for MacBook and other Mac systems. It is compatible with USB 3.0 and ready to use with USB-C. The product’s appearance is attractive, and the metal cover adds to the elegance.
Security is at the top level since the manufacturer enabled password protection combined with hardware encryption. The generous capacity of 4TB should be enough for storing all your files. You can also pick 2TBand 5TB options for this Mac backup hard drive. Admirable transfer speed is important, especially when moving large files. The product is fairly portable, and you will receive a long-term warranty.
At a Glance
- Capacity: 4 TB
- Transfer speed: 480 MB/S
- Dimensions: 4.33 x 3.23 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 2.29 ounces
- 3-year limited warranty
Pros
- A lightweight product: The hard drive features a compact size, and it is lightweight. That makes it easy to carry it wherever you go.
- Impressive transfer speed: It can reach up to 480MB/S, which makes the device surprisingly fast when transferring files.
- A reputable brand: Western Digital is famous for making high-quality products, and this device is no exception.
- Formatted for Mac: The hard drive is formatted for Mac, which means it was prepared to be used on this operating system.
Cons
- WD software Is not the most reliable: The app that the manufacturer made to be used with the hard drive might be prone to errors.
- Cable connection issues: It happens rarely, but the hard drive might disconnect from your Mac for no reason. It seems that it is because of cable quality.
2. Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch 2TB External Hard Drive
Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Touch seems like the best external backup drive for Mac for all those seeking bargain deals. The first thing you notice is the attractive design of the product. The standard white and black colors are complemented by the fabric on top of the drive. It ensures a better grip, which can be important to prevent the product from slipping from your hand.
The manufacturer made the product for both Windows and Mac. You can rely on the software to create automatic backups at scheduled intervals. If you want to manage photos and other files, you can use the subscription plans you receive with the device. The manufacturer cares about the security of your data, which is why they included password protection and hardware encryption.
At a Glance
- Capacity: 2 TB
- Transfer speed: 120 MB/S
- Dimensions: 4.52 x 3.07 x 0.46 inches
- Weight: 5.33 ounces
- 2-year limited warranty
- A 2-month membership for Adobe CC, and a 1-year subscription to Mylio Create
Pros
- Excellent value for money: The product brings plenty of bang for the buck, especially if you consider the price-capacity ration.
- Password protection: protect your files with the supported AES-256 hardware encryption.
- The fabric gives you a better grip: The fabric placed on this backup hard drive for Mac will ensure it doesn’t slip from your hands.
- Complimentary subscriptions: You receive subscriptions to Mylio Create and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Cons
- It is not shock-resistant: Be careful not to drop it on the floor since the resistance to shock is not impressive.
- It takes time to back up an entire machine: Since it doesn’t have an impressive transfer speed, you need to be patient when backing up a whole machine.
3. Samsung (MU-PA1T0B/AM) T5 Portable SSD
If you are looking for a top-quality product, this might be the best Mac backup hardware on the market. Samsung made sure to use components of exceptional quality for this portable SSD. Thanks to that, you can expect the device to serve you for years.
Apart from durability, size is an important advantage of this external backup drive for Mac. The product is among the smallest you will see on the market. That makes it highly portable and suitable for carrying around in your pocket. The only downside is that you don’t get a carrying case.
You can choose between 1TB and 2TB variants, but they are both a bit pricey. However, the impressive durability, size, and transfer speed make the product a great value for money.
At a Glance
- Capacity: 1 TB
- Transfer speed: 540 MB/S
- Dimensions: 0.41 x 2.91 x 2.26 inches
- Weight: 1.8 ounces
- 3-year warranty
Pros
- Compact size: The product is as small as a portable SSD could be. It can fit inside a pocket, which makes it easy to carry it around.
- Impressive speed: The device features superfast speeds and can read and write files at up to 540MB/S.
- Pick your color: You can go with a classic black option, or pick between red, blue, and gold colors to complement your machine.
- Excellent durability: Samsung includes a three-year warranty, but the quality of construction indicates this backup hard drive for Mac can last even longer.
Cons
- A pricey product: The product belongs to top-class hard drives, which is the reason why it has a high price tag.
- No carrying case included: The manufacturer didn’t include a carrying bag or case, which means you will have to purchase it separately.
4. Seagate Expansion SSD 1Tb Solid State Drive
Seagate Expansion SSD is a modern and compact solution with a lightweight design. The black color is universal and secures compatibility with all machines. The backup hard drive for Mac is light, which makes it easy to carry around in your hand. Houdahgeo 4 4 download free.
While the capacity is not the most generous, 1TB should cover most users’ needs. The device is fast when activating, but also transferring the files. Although it is compatible with MacBook, you might need to reformat it first if you plan on using the Time Machine. Overall, this might be the best backup drive for Mac, especially if you are a fan of Seagate’s products.
At a Glance
- Capacity: 1 TB
- Transfer speed: 400 MB/S
- Dimensions: 6 x 4.25 x 1.5 inches
- Weight: 2.29 ounces
- 3-year limited warranty
Pros
- Decent transfer speed: Transfer speeds vary, but they are more than decent, and allow you fast file moving.
- Fast wake up from sleep: If you need to activate your backup hard drive, it will occur quickly.
- It is very light and portable: The weight of the device ensures it will be easy to carry it from one place to another.
- Shock-resistant: You don’t have to worry about dropping it on the floor accidentally because the product offers resistance to shock.
Cons
- A short cord comes with the product: If you plan on using the USB 3.0 cord, you might need to consider to keep the device close to your Mac.
- Time Machine might require reformatting: If your idea is to use the product with the Time Machine, you might need to reformat the drive first.
5. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 5TB External Hard Drive
If you believe the best backup hard drive for Mac is the one that offers most space, this is the product for you. LaCie ensures 5TB of available space, and it secures fairly fast data transfer.
The product features a distinctive design with an orange bumper and a tethered cable. While the latter is convenient, the design is a matter of taste. The material quality is admirable, and the product will remain safe if you drop it on the floor. It is resistant to water and dust, too, and it should serve you for a long time.
This hard drive designed by LaCie might also be the best Mac backup hardware. The manufacturer offers a generous warranty, and a data recovery service includes if you have any problems with the product.
At a Glance
- Capacity: 5 TB
- Transfer speed: 130 MB/S
- Dimensions: 1.34 x 3.58 x 5.4 inches
- Weight: 1.32 pounds
- Free 1-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud
- 3-year limited warranty
Pros
- Extremely durable and resistant: The hard drive is capable of resisting waist-high drops since it features a strong construction.
- Plenty of space available: The generous capacity of 5TB should make this product enough for videos, photos, music, and other files you want to store.
- Integrated SD card slot: It is a nice addition that allows transferring photographs and other data from your smartphones quickly.
- All the accessories you need: From a convenient tethered cable to the membership for Adobe CC and rescue data recovery services, the manufacturer was generous when including accessories.
Cons
- The drive can get hot: Using the product for hours could make it hot to the touch. You can grab it by the orange bumper, but avoid packing it before it cools down.
- Not everyone might be a fan of the design: The bumper features a specific orange color that not everyone might find appealing.
Conclusion
Getting an external backup drive for Mac can be beneficial for multiple reasons. It can keep sensitive files safe, and ensure you have access to them in case of system failure. The choice depends on your requirements. You might need a hard drive with a huge capacity, or 1TB might cover all your needs. Durability, size and other details are also factors to consider when selecting the best Mac backup hardware. The experts say it is all about your preferences. No one-size-fits-all formula exists, and the best backup drive for Mac is the one that fits your needs!